Prepaid Credit Card Germany 2026
No Schufa check. No credit line. You load money, you spend it. That is it.
You moved to Germany, tried to get a credit card, got rejected because of Schufa. Sound familiar? A prepaid credit card (German: aufladbare Kreditkarte) fixes that. You load money onto the card, spend what you loaded, done. No credit check, no debt, no surprises.
This page compares the prepaid cards you can actually get in Germany right now, in April 2026, with real fees from official provider websites. Two popular options from earlier guides (VIABUY and Black & White) went bankrupt in 2024. We removed them and added current alternatives.
Compare Prepaid Credit Cards Germany
Free comparison, no registration needed
Who Should Get a Prepaid Card in Germany?
New arrivals and expats
Students
Poor Schufa scores
Online security
Best Prepaid Credit Cards Germany: Fee Comparison 2026
Fees checked on official provider websites, April 2026. Always verify current rates before applying.
Revolut Standard
Free card, zero foreign currency fees
*0% up to EUR 1,000/month, then 0.5%
N26 Standard
Free German bank account + debit card
EUR 10 shipping for physical card
bunq Easy Bank
Best for travelers, 0% FX worldwide
Commerzbank Prepaid
Traditional bank, Visa card
Payango Card
Low cost, backed by German state bank
SupremaCard
No Schufa, EUR 100 starting credit
EUR 100 bonus on first load
Fee data from official provider websites as of April 2026. Providers can change fees at any time. Always check the provider's site for current pricing before you apply.
Fees That Catch People Off Guard
The annual fee is only one piece of the puzzle.
ATM withdrawals cost €0.99 to €5 per transaction depending on the card. If you withdraw cash twice a week, that adds up to €100-500 per year just in withdrawal fees. Revolut and N26 offer a few free withdrawals per month, which helps.
Foreign currency fees range from 0% (Revolut, bunq, N26, SupremaCard) to 1.75% (Commerzbank). A €500 flight booked in USD would cost you an extra €8.75 on Commerzbank versus nothing on Revolut.
Loading fees: Topping up via SEPA bank transfer is free everywhere. Instant top-ups from another card typically cost 1-2%. Revolut and N26 function as bank accounts with their own IBAN, so money arrives via normal bank transfer.
The €39.90 question: Commerzbank and SupremaCard charge meaningful annual fees. If you just need a card for occasional online purchases, Revolut or N26 cost nothing. Looking for more financial flexibility? Compare personal loans from 20+ German banks.
Prepaid Card vs Debit Card in Germany
People mix these up constantly, so here is the short version. A debit card (German: Girokarte or EC-Karte) is wired directly to your bank account. Pay with it, and money leaves your account immediately. Most debit cards in Germany use the local Girocard system, which works in German stores but not always abroad.
A prepaid card is separate. You top it up manually. If someone steals your prepaid card data, they can only touch the loaded balance, not your rent money.
If you need both, the practical move is to open a free bank account (N26 gives you a debit Mastercard) and get a separate prepaid card (Revolut) for online purchases. Total monthly cost: zero. For a deeper look, read our debit vs credit card guide.
Prepaid card is better when...
You have no Schufa or poor credit
You want strict budget control
You shop online and want to limit risk
You just arrived in Germany
Debit card is better when...
You need to rent cars or book hotels
You want SEPA direct debits for rent
You prefer one card linked to your account
You want to build German credit history
How to Get a Prepaid Credit Card in Germany
Pick a provider
Use the comparison above or go to the provider's site
Sign up online
Name, email, phone number, address. About 5 minutes.
Verify identity
Video call (10 min), PostIdent, or in-app selfie. Passport or ID needed.
Load and go
SEPA transfer is free. Virtual card available instantly with Revolut, N26, bunq.
The physical card typically shows up in 5 to 10 business days. If you need a card right now for an online purchase, Revolut, N26, and bunq all provide virtual card numbers within minutes of signing up.
New to Germany and still setting things up? Our credit card guide for foreigners covers all your options, from prepaid to regular cards. If you want to see prepaid and standard credit cards together in one place, use our compare all credit card options tool.
What Prepaid Cards Cannot Do
Car rentals
Hotel deposits
SEPA direct debits
Building credit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prepaid credit card?
A card you load with your own money before using it. It carries a Visa or Mastercard logo and works at most places that accept those networks. You spend your own balance, not borrowed money. When the balance hits zero, the card stops working until you top it up.
Do I need a Schufa check to get a prepaid card in Germany?
Most prepaid cards skip the credit check entirely. Revolut, bunq, Commerzbank Prepaid, Payango, and SupremaCard require no Schufa. N26 runs a soft check that does not affect your credit score. If your Schufa is very bad, stick with Revolut or SupremaCard.
Can I use a prepaid card to rent a car in Germany?
Probably not. Sixt, Europcar, and Hertz require a credit card with a real credit line for the deposit. Some smaller local agencies accept embossed cards, but call ahead first.
Which prepaid card in Germany has the lowest fees?
Revolut Standard and N26 Standard charge no monthly or annual fee. Revolut also has no foreign currency fee on the first EUR 1,000 per month. If you rarely use ATMs and mostly pay by card, Revolut is the cheapest option in Germany right now.
Do I need a German bank account to get a prepaid card?
Not for all providers. Revolut and bunq only need a European phone number and valid ID. Commerzbank requires their own account. N26 is itself a bank account. Payango and SupremaCard can be loaded via SEPA transfer from any European bank account.
Can I use a prepaid card outside Germany?
Yes. Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards work in most countries worldwide. Revolut, bunq, and N26 charge 0% on card payments abroad. Commerzbank charges 1.75%, Payango 1.5%.
Does a prepaid card build my Schufa credit score?
No. You are not borrowing money, so there is nothing to report. If building a Schufa score matters to you, get a regular credit card instead.
How long does it take to get a prepaid card in Germany?
Online sign-up takes 5-10 minutes. Identity verification adds 5-15 minutes via video call or 1-2 days via PostIdent. Physical card delivery takes 5-10 business days. Revolut, N26, and bunq give you a virtual card number within minutes.
Is VIABUY still available?
No. VIABUY's parent company Dock Financial S.A. was declared bankrupt in December 2024. Cards stopped working in June 2024. If you see VIABUY recommended on other sites, that information is outdated.
Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay with a prepaid card?
Revolut, N26, bunq, and Commerzbank all support Apple Pay credit cards and Google Pay. Payango and SupremaCard do not support mobile payments as of April 2026.
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checkalle.de is an independent comparison portal. We may earn a commission when you apply through our links. This does not affect our comparisons or recommendations. Credit card offers are provided by partner banks and financial institutions. All fee information is based on publicly available data as of April 2026.